Captain S——­ was a man of enterprise, and never lost an opportunity of scheming to supplement the freight of the vessel he commanded.  His common phrase was, “Look for business, and you’ll meet it on the road.”  He was well known all over the Mediterranean, and had done much trade with the Spanish ports, so that he got to know a good deal about the character and methods of their business.  On one occasion, at Gibraltar, a deputation of traders, as they called themselves, made him a proposition that was startling in its remunerative dimensions.

“I presume,” said the captain, “this business which you are good enough to put before me is sound; there is no humbug about it?”

“Not one bit, captain.  You undertake to do certain work for which we pay you before starting.”

It was arranged that he should wire from his last port of call when passing down the Mediterranean.  He fixed his mind on the amount he was to receive, and did not inquire too closely into the character of the business.  He would have been virtuously indignant if any one had hinted that he was capable of going beyond the limits of stern rectitude, although he admitted the undertaking to be extraordinary, otherwise he would not have been so well paid for it.  His knowledge of character told him that he was going to do business with a squad of rascals who knew no moral law, and yet the fascination of exciting enterprise held him in its grip.  So it came to pass that he sent his telegram announcing approximately when he might be expected at Gibraltar, and asking them to have all in readiness against his arrival.  In the early morning of the eighth day after leaving Malta, the steamer crept from under the Great Rock into the beautiful bay, and was promptly boarded by a few gentlemen of effusive manners who were greatly concerned about the health of Captain S——.  The latter requested them to cease their chatter and to get to business.

“Are the craft ready?” said he.

“Oh yes,” replied the Rock-scorpions; “but you will have to wait until dark before they can be brought from their moorings.”

This was agreed to.  The captain put his vessel alongside the coal hulk, and by noon the required bunker coal had been shipped, and through the kindness of the captain of the hulk she was allowed to remain alongside until darkness set in, on the plea of repairs being done to defective machinery.  She was then slowly moved towards three feluccas which lay waiting in the bay.  The night was still, and the moon shone bright and made the sea silvery by its reflection; but a large halo encircled it, and the seamen knew that foreboded stormy weather.  “Telegraph boys” were coming up from the west very swiftly.  There was to be trouble outside Cape Spartel, and they were anxious to get through the stream before the gale had developed strength.  A boat came alongside.  Two Levantines stepped aboard.  The captain said—­

“So you have come at last.  Have you got the money with you?  Let me have no wriggling, or I will have you put over the side and steam away without your merchandize.”